About
SERMI
Welcome to SERMI – the Association created to further develop, own, operate and maintain a scheme and process on Access to security-related repair and maintenance information for motor vehicles to approve and authorise independent operators (IO’s) working in the European automotive aftermarket to enable them to access security-related RMI.
The use of the SERMI scheme is mandated by the Delegated Regulation (EU) N° 2021/1244 amending Regulation (EU) N° 2018/858, which provides that standardised access to security-related RMI, but under the protection of security standards and security certificates and on the condition that independent operators and their employees are approved and authorised for this purpose based on specfic documents and requirements: (Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) 2021/1244).
The SERMI association is managed jointly by vehicle manufacturers and independent operators as stakeholders who are primarily involved in the process of providing or obtaining access to security related RMI, parts and functions.
SERMI acts as scheme owner to the European co-operation for Accreditation (EA).
The SERMI scheme was updated by the EA on 3 February 2023. The updated and validated scheme is available(here).
Via this link you can download the latest validated Sanctioned Interpretations List which includes interpretations and clarifications on the SERMI scheme.
21 August 2024 - Implementation SERMI in France
We are proud to announce the implementation date for SERMI in France! SERMI will be available in France from November 1st, 2024. Independent Operators can apply for their SERMI certificate from a Conformity Assessment Body listed here, underneath your country.
19 August 2024 - Positive developments in cross-border inspections
Promising advancements for cross-border inspections underway
Significant progress is being made to enhance cross-border inspections within the EU, ensuring smoother and faster implementation rate of SERMI within the EU. Discussions are actively underway to align the Delegated Regulation ((EU) 2021/1244) with the SERMI scheme, paving the way for cross-border inspections.
Immediate Actions and Future Plans
Immediate Efforts:
In the short term, proactive discussions at multiple levels are being initiated to facilitate cross-border inspections. These efforts are anticipated to yield positive outcomes both in the near and long term, enhancing efficiency and implementation speed across the EU.
Short/Mid-Term Solution:
The European Accreditation (EA) is currently evaluating potential solutions within the Horizontal Harmonisation Commission. This includes exploring the possibility of allowing cross-border inspections in countries lacking a local Conformity Assessment Body (CAB). An update on this promising intermediate solution is expected by mid-September 2024.
Long-Term Vision:
Looking ahead, the European Commission has scheduled the release of a new Delegated Regulation in Q1 2025. This regulation aims to harmonize the current regulation with the SERMI scheme, enabling CABs to conduct cross-border inspections seamlessly.
Existing implementations:
For Member States that have already implemented the cross-border inspection solution, the current arrangements will remain unchanged, ensuring stability and continuity in their inspection processes.
These efforts underscore a commitment to regulatory cohesion and improved cross-border collaboration, marking a significant step forward for Member States in the implementation of SERMI.
Sanctioned Interpretations List update
The 7th version of the Sanctioned Interpretations list is available on the SERMI website (link). There is an update regarding training/education requirements for Italy.
13 June 2024 - CABs Q&A-list
On the 30th of May we held the first international SERMI-CAB meeting, during which we informed approved and interested CABs about the latest status of SERMI. Also we asked the participants for input regarding the implementation of SERMI and what issues people possibly have come across. We gathered all the questions and formulated answers to those questions which can be downloaded here.
31 January 2024 - Introduction date April is final
We are happy to inform you that the implementation date for April is final for the following countries!
| Go live date per April 1st, 2024: |
| - Austria |
| - Belgium |
| - Germany |
| - Luxembourg |
| - The Netherlands |
| - Portugal |
| - Spain |
We have chosen to postpone the June implementation to a later date. The new date will be determined after the evaluation of the April release.
17 January 2024 - The fourth Sanctioned Interpretations List is available
The European Accreditation Task Force has approved the fourth version of the Sanctioned Interpretations List. This fourth release contains clarifications regarding IOs with multiple locations, IO/RSS use, a solution on the use of the Criminal Record in Finland and an update in the conditions for CABs and cross-border inspections.
1 December 2023 – Update: implementation dates for SERMI available
We have unlocked the implementation date for Norway, this will be February 1st, 2024.
We also have set the projected implementation dates for other countries. The actual implementation date will be subject to final confirmation by the SERMI Organisation two months prior to the projected go live date.
See the list for the countries & dates underneath:
| SERMI process LIVE per February 1st, 2024: |
| - Norway (new) |
| - Denmark |
| - Finland |
| SERMI process projection to go live per April 1st, 2024: |
| - Austria |
| - Belgium |
| - Germany |
| - Luxembourg |
| - The Netherlands |
| - Portugal |
| - Spain |
To check the available CABs in your country please click here.
17 November 2023 - New accredited CAB and new countries will be available soon
We welcome a new CAB for SERMI in Spain and in the meantime we can inform you that the following countries will be able to start with SERMI soon !
SERMI will soon become available in the following countries: Austria, Belgium, France, Germany, Italy, Luxembourg, Poland and Portugal. We will release new implementation dates in December. To check the available CABs in your country please click here.
27 October 2023 - The second Sanctioned Interpretations List is available
The European Accreditation Task Force has approved the second version of the Sanctioned Interpretations List. This second version contains clarifications and interpretations on the use of the Criminal Record and we added national trainings that are approved for use.
24 October 2023 - Spain has joined the SERMI family
After we recently reported that Norway and The Netherlands are joining the SERMI scheme, we are happy to announce that a CAB has been accredited in Spain as well !
Also for Spain we plan to set up the SERMI implementation date at the beginning of December. For further information about the approved Spanish CAB, please see the details shown in the 'Apply as IO' section.
13 October 2023 - With three countries having an accredited CAB in place, more countries are planning to follow suit at the earliest opportunity!
These new countries are Norway and The Netherlands and which represent examples of having benefited from a multi-country approval application. In the beginning of December, we will set up the SERMI implementation date for these 2 countries. At this moment you can find the approved CABs in the 'Apply as IO' section to request your accreditation.
3 October 2023 – Implementation SERMI in Denmark and Finland
After the first successful days of the SERMI implementation in Sweden we are proud to announce the implementation data for SERMI in two other Member States.
The two Member States where SERMI will be implemented next are Denmark and Finland. The implementation date is set for the 1st of February 2024. You can apply at your country specific CAB which are mentioned in the 'Apply as IO' section of the SERMI website. Stay tuned at our website for more information on available CABs in your country.
1 September 2023 - Finland: the first CAB is accredited for SERMI by the local NAB
SERMI is moving rapidly across Europe. After Sweden and Denmark, Finland is already the 3rd country with an accredited CAB. We are setting up the implementation date for Finland at this moment you can find the approved CABs in the 'Apply as IO' section.
23 August 2023 - Denmark: the first CABs are accredited for SERMI
Already 2 CABs are approved and active in the Danish market to validate IOs and their employees in Denmark. You can find the approved CABs in the Apply as IO section
8 August 2023 - Publication Sanctioned Interpretations list for SERMI scheme
The SERMI Scheme is a living document and is updated as needed with relevant information and the experience obtained from its application. Between publications of full revisions of the SERMI Scheme, sanctioned interpretations are published as needed to update or clarify the Scheme Document.
You can download the latest version here: Sanctioned Interpretations List
3 July 2023 - Gradual implementation of SERMI
Once a country is ready SERMI will be implemented
According to EU Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) 2021/1244, SERMI should have come into force in all EU member states from 1 August 2023. However, as not all Member States have an accredited Conformity Assessment Body available in time, the SERMI Operations Group, in cooperation with the European Commission, decided to:
- Implement the SERMI scheme in those EU Member States that are ready, via a staged
implementation
- Continue using current vehicle manufacturers’ proprietary identification systems in other
countries
The staged implementation dates are as follows:
| Date | Country |
| 1 October 2023 | Sweden |
| 1 December 2023 | - |
| 1 February 2024 | See link |
| 1 April 2024 | See link |
| 1 June 2024 | See link |
| 1 August 2024 | See link |
This schedule will be updated every 2 months
Get in contact with the (approved) CABs in your country? Click here
The United Kingdom intends to use SERMI on a voluntary basis.
Founding members
On behalf of Vehicle Manufacturers:
European Automobile Manufacturers’ Association (ACEA)
Rond-Point Schuman 6
B-1040 Brussels
Belgium
On behalf of Independent Operators:
Association Internationale des Réparateurs en Carrosserie (AIRC)
Grüner Weg 12,
DE-61169 Friedberg (Hessen)
Germany
European Council for Motor Trades and Repairs (CECRA)
Boulevard de la Woluwe 46, Box 9,
B-1200 Brussels
Belgium
Fédération Internationale de l’Automobile (FIA)
Rue de la Science 41
B-1040 Brussels
Belgium
European Federation of Automotive Aftermarket Distributors (FIGIEFA)
Boulevard de la Woluwe 42 Box 5,
B-1200 Brussels
Belgium
SERMI has been established based on the recommendation of the Report issued by the EU Forum established under Article 13 of the Regulation (EC) N° 692/2008 and Article 66 of Regulation (EU) N° 2018/858. The task of the Association SERMI is to further develop, own, operate and maintain a scheme and process initially recommended by the EU Forum on Access to Vehicle RMI (Repair and Maintenance Information) to approve and authorise independent operators (IO) working in the European automotive aftermarket industry sector to enable to access security-related RMI.
Independent operator employees will need a security token (MFA) and pin protected electronic certificate and an authorisation when accessing a VM's website. An employee will only be authorised for security-related RMI access if their employer company has also been approved.
- The Independent Operator (IO) who wishes to conduct security related work will approach a Conformity Assessment Body (CAB).
- The CAB will then carry out the necessary approval (for the commercial enterprise/company) and authorisations (for the individual employees).
- After notification, the Trust Centre (TC) will issue certificates and security tokens to be distributed by the CAB to the Independent Operator as appropriate.
- The CAB will be accredited and assessed by the National Accreditation Body (NAB).
Once complete, the individual employee will be able to access the information from each manufacturer with this single certificate and authorisation (i.e. avoidance of multiple certificates and authorisation procedures with each individual vehicle manufacturer). The company approval and employee authorisation are valid for a period of 60 months, unless revoked due to misuse.
The Security Forum Process How does it work?
Overview
of the accreditation scheme
© SERMI 2024 - Legal advice